The Lawsons

Last updated
The Lawsons
GenreSerial drama
Running timeplayed twice daily
Country of originAustralia
Language(s)English
SyndicatesABC
StarringVivean Edwards, Ailsa Graham, Jane Holland
Created byGwen Meredith
Written by Gwen Meredith
Original releaseFebruary 21, 1944 (1944-02-21) 
February 25, 1949 (1949-02-25)
No. of episodes1,299 [1]

The Lawsons was an Australian radio serial broadcast by the ABC and created and written by Gwen Meredith that ran daily from 21 February 1944 to 25 february 1949. It was a forerunner to the better known Blue Hills . [2] [3] The show began as a propaganda series to introduce modern farming methods. [4] Merredith researched it at a station near Gunnedah. [5] The serial was hugely popular immediately and ran for five years. [6] Meredith adapted the series into a play and a novel. [7]

Contents

Premise

The adventures of the Lawson family who live on a farm. Mr. and Mrs. Lawson, Sue and Jean and there four boys Wally, Chris, Ted and Brian, Described as the typical Australian country folk, they raise sheep and poultry and grow wheat and vegetables, but are not as burlesque as Dad and Dave or Doreen and Ginger Mick. [8]

Cast

CharacterActor
Mr. LawsonVivean Edwards
Mrs. Ellen LawsonAilsa Grahame
Sue LawsonJane Holland
Don McKenzieJerry Weil
Chris Hal Lashwood
RuthMarie Rosenfeld
Max RalstonGeorge Randall
JoeReg Collins

[8]

Stage Play

Meredith wrote a stage play version of the radio serial. It toured New South Wales regional areas in 1950 with a cast including Ed Devereaux. [9] The play was presented by J.C. Williamson's Ltd. [10]

Cast of 1950 Tour

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References

  1. "End In Sight For "Lawsons"". The Sydney Morning Herald . No. 34, 650. New South Wales, Australia. 11 January 1949. p. 3. Retrieved 4 February 2024 via National Library of Australia.
  2. "BLUE HILLS, NEW GWEN MEREDITH SERIAL TO FOLLOW THE LAWSONS", ABC weekly, Sydney, 15 January 1949, retrieved 4 February 2024 via Trove
  3. "LAWSONS RECORDS", ABC weekly, Sydney, 15 January 1949, retrieved 4 February 2024 via Trove
  4. ""Lawsons" Author Never Listens To Serials". The Sunday Herald (Sydney) . No. 2. New South Wales, Australia. 30 January 1949. p. 6. Retrieved 4 February 2024 via National Library of Australia.
  5. "Farm and Home Hour", ABC weekly, Sydney: ABC, 19 February 1944, retrieved 4 February 2024 via Trove
  6. "The Lawsons are real people to listeners", ABC weekly, Sydney, 25 November 1944, retrieved 4 February 2024 via Trove
  7. "GWEN MEREDITH IS WRITING LAWSONS NOVEL", ABC weekly, Sydney: ABC, 8 June 1946, retrieved 4 February 2024 via Trove
  8. 1 2 "MEET THE LAWSONS Down the farm!", ABC weekly, Sydney, 8 September 1945, retrieved 4 February 2024 via Trove
  9. ""The Lawsons" for Wagga". Daily Advertiser . New South Wales, Australia. 10 February 1950. p. 2. Retrieved 4 February 2024 via National Library of Australia.
  10. "The Lawsons Has World Premiere As Stage Play", ABC weekly, Sydney, 28 January 1950, retrieved 4 February 2024 via Trove